Abstract: A method and system for reducing tension fluctuations in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and tension on the web in each tension zone is measured. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the tension measurements. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing tension fluctuations in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and tension on the web in each tension zone is measured. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the tension measurements. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing tension fluctuations in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and tension on the web in each tension zone is measured. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the tension measurements. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing tension fluctuations in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and tension on the web in each tension zone is measured. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the tension measurements. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job.

Abstract: A method for correcting color registration errors for a print job including one or more documents having a plurality of color planes. A color registration error model is used to predict a color registration error value for a document as a function of ink coverage characteristics for the document, wherein the color registration error model is a parametric model having one or more parameters. An image plane correction value is determined based on the predicted color registration error, and the document is printed using the determined image plane correction value.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing registration errors in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and a plurality of registration errors is determined. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the registration errors. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job, thereby reducing registration errors.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing registration errors in a printing system are disclosed. A plurality of tension zones is defined in the printing system. Tension on the web in one tension zone is controlled independently of the tension on the web in the other tension zones. The printing system also includes at least one roller for each tension zone. The rollers receive tension control commands and control the amount of tension on the web in their respective tension zones. The printing system is used to print a first copy of the print job on the web and a plurality of registration errors is determined. Tension control adjustments are computed for each tension zone based on the registration errors. The tension control adjustments are used to adjust the tension control commands to the rollers to print a second copy of the print job, thereby reducing registration errors.

Abstract: A method for correcting color registration errors for a color printer that prints color image data on a continuous web of media. A color registration error model is used to predict a color registration error value for a particular in-track position as a function of ink coverage characteristics for an image region including the particular in-track position, wherein the color registration error model is a parametric model having one or more parameters. An image plane correction value is determined based on the predicted color registration error, and the color image data for the particular in-track position is printed using the determined image data correction values.

Abstract: A method for performing color-to-color correction while printing multiple copies of a print job having one or more documents includes printing one or more copies of the print job and determining at least one color registration error for at least one type of color registration error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. A color plane correction value is then determined for each document in the print job and for each color plane error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. One or more subsequent copies of the print job is printed using the color plane correction values, where the color plane correction values used for each document are the correction values determined for that document. The color plane correction values can be updated periodically, at select times, or after each copy is printed.

Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time, and then switching to a synchronized control mode. The tension is monitored to determine if it exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The speed of drive rollers is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension is also monitored to determine if it exceeds the tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled. The frequency of speed adjustments is lesser in the synchronized control mode than in the active tension control mode.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead.

Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time. Then, the active tension control mode is disabled and a synchronized control mode is enabled. The tension in the print media is monitored to determine if the tension exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The speed of a drive roller is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension in the print media is also monitored to determine if the tension exceeds the tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled.

Abstract: An edge guide is provided. A structure includes curved surface over which a print media can travel. The print media includes a first edge and a second edge that is opposite the first edge. A first media guide is contactable with the first edge of the print media. A second media guide is contactable with the second edge of the print media. The second media guide is spaced apart from the first media guide. A relative spacing between the second media guide and the first media guide is adjustable such that a distance between the first media guide and the second media guide is variable. The second media guide includes a mechanism that applies a nesting force to the second edge of the print media to cause the first edge of the print media to move toward and contact the first media guide.

Abstract: A printing system includes a linehead that jets ink onto a surface of the print media, an imaging system that captures images of the surface of the print media, and one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms adapted to adjust the skew of the linehead. A method for correcting for skew in a print media in the printing system includes capturing images of one or more test marks printed or formed on the print media and analyzing the images to determine whether the print media is skewed with respect to a transport direction of the print media. If the print media is skewed, one or more linehead skew adjustment values is determined to adjust a skew of the linehead. The skew of the linehead is adjusted based on the one or more linehead skew adjustment values.

Abstract: A printing system can include a movable support and a linehead disposed on the movable support. The linehead is positioned opposite a print media and jets ink onto a surface of the print media. One or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms are configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead. The printing system can include an imaging system that captures images of the surface of the print media and a processing device that analyzes the images to determine if the print media is skewed and to determine one or more linehead skew adjustment values when the print media is skewed.

Abstract: A method for performing color-to-color correction while printing multiple copies of a print job having one or more documents includes printing one or more copies of the print job and determining at least one color registration error for at least one type of color registration error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. A color plane correction value is then determined for each document in the print job and for each color plane error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. One or more subsequent copies of the print job is printed using the color plane correction values, where the color plane correction values used for each document are the correction values determined for that document. The color plane correction values can be updated periodically, at select times, or after each copy is printed.

Abstract: A printing system includes multiple lineheads that each jet ink onto a print media while the print media is transported through the printing system. Imaging devices are positioned to capture one or more images of each side of the print media. A method for correcting for web skew and front-to-back registration includes determining a skew positional error for each color plane in a printing module and determining one or more skew positional correction values based on the skew positional error. A registration positional error can be determined and one or more registration positional correction values can be determined based on the registration positional error. A setting or operation of at least one printing system component is automatically adjusted based on at least one registration positional correction value or at least one skew positional correction value.

Abstract: A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section.